Barrel tapping means



June15,1937.` f F; E, RICE 2,083,866

BARREL TAPPING MEANS Filed May 6, l1935 Patented June 15, 1937 UNITEDSTATES access BARREL TAPPING MEANS Frank E. Rice, Detroit, Mich.,assigner to Ameri'- can Bush Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofDelaware Application May 6, 1935, Serial No. 20,010

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a tappet and more particularly to asystem of dispensing small amounts of the contents of barreled liquids,such as beer.

There are in favor at the present time pony or eighths barrels or kegs,for sale to consumers, such as householders, who prefer draft beer, butwho cannot readily handle and accommodate full sized barrels. Such smallbarrels and kegs are equipped with various and sundry discharge means ofmany different kinds and constructions.

The present invention has for an object the provision of a dispensingsystem wherein a removable faucet structure is utilized in conjunctionl5 with a novel bushing structure applied to barrels by the barrelmanufacturers. The faucet structure is purchased by the consumer andretained by him for application to such barrels or kegs as he maypurchase from time to time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a two partseparable bushing structure, for barrels, having one part providing uidpassageway and containing stopper means for controlling fluid flowthrough the passageway.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a two partseparable bushing structure having one part providing a fluid passagewayand containing stopper means for controlling fluid ilow through thepassageway and also provided with means for connection with a source ofair or gas pressure to supply pressure within a barrel.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bushinghaving a wrench operable stopper and a separable faucet structure appli-35 cable to the bushing structure and having wrench means for actuatingthe stopper.

Another and still further object of the present invention is to providenovel stopper means for tap bushes whereby the usual cork may be elimi-40 nated.

The invention has for an additional object the provision of a tap bushhaving self-contained stopper means operable at will for opening orclosing the bush to fluid flow.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a combinedbush structure and draught tube construction wherein the tube ispermanently connected to the bush structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensingsystem for beer barrels and the like, including a combined bushstructure and draught tube construction wherein the tube is permanentlyconnected to the bush structure and 55 wherein a removable faucetstructure may be (Cl. 22S-3) applied to the bush for dispensing thebarrel contents.

Another and yet further object of the present invention is to provide abored bush part with an axially movable stopper within the bore forcontrolling fluid flow.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bush andfaucet structure which may be economically manufactured, which is simplein operation, and which is constructed for long and continued use.

Generally speaking, the bushing structure is constructed so that byremoval of one part, access may be had to the interior or" a barrel forapplying pitch to the interior, as well as means for filling the barrelat a brewery. The removable part has a bore for fluid passage, with aself-contained stopper movable within the bore, for opening or closingsaid passage to uid ow. The stopper is actuated by wrench meansconstituting part of the faucet structure. The bushing structure has nopart projecting above the plane of the barrel head, so that any suitableseal, such, for instance, as a revenue stamp, may be applied over thebush structure after the barrel has been filled and is ready for sale.'I'he seal has to be destroyed when the faucet structure is applied tothe bush structure for use.

The above, other and further objects of the present invention will beapparent from the following description, accompanying drawing, andappended claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of the dispensingsystem of the present invention, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure l is a vertical, central or axial sectional view, through a bushstructure and faucet structure, constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, showing certain parts in elevation,and with the stopper means in position to close fluid flow through thebushing structure.

Figure 2 is a vertical or axial section through the bushing structure ofthe present invention showing the draught tube, and stopper, inelevation.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially in the planeindicated by line III-111 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 is a fragmental sectional View through a portion of a woodenbarrel showing, in place, a bushing structure of the present inventionthereto applied.

The drawing will now be explained.

The illustrated form of bushing structure includes two parts or members,one part A, the outer part or member, and the inner removable part ormember B. The outer part A, in the form illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and3 is adapted to be welded to the head I of a metal barrel in which asuitable opening has been made for the bushing. The outer part A has acentral opening of considerable extent and of sufficient size so thataccess to the interior of a barrel may be had when the inner part B isremoved, for applying pitch to the interior of the barrel. The outerpart A has its central opening threaded for a portion of its length asat 2 and with a portion; defining a flange 3 of less diameter than thethreaded opening, thus providing an annular shoulder 4.

The inner part or member B is formed with a portion 5 which is boredwith bores of varying diameters and which projects beyond the innersurface of the cuter member A of the bush. The intermediate bore B is ofgreatest length and communicates at its upper end with a larger bore 7which is interiorly threaded to receive a cooperating threaded portion 8of a faucet structure, designated generally as C. The intermediate bore6 communicates with a smaller bore 8 which in turn communicates withalarger bore IG in which is secured the upper end of a draught tube II.The junction of the bores 6 and 9 forms a shoulder i2 which constitutesa valve seat, within the inner part B. The inner part B is threaded toengage the threads of the bore 2 of the outer part A and connects theseparts together. A sealing washer or gasket I3 is interposed between theinner and outer parts B and A respectively and rests on the annularflange 3 of the outer part A. The inner part B is further provided witha bore I4 to receive an air valve member I5. An angular bore I 6communicates with the bore I4 and opens through a side of the inner partB so that air or gas, under pressure, may be admitted to the interior ofthe barrel when desired. Normally, the valve I 5 is closed by a cap IIwhich may be removed for application to the air valve structure of ahose or other suitable pressure supply connection.

Preferably the inner member B may be cored, as at 58 to reduce theweight of this part.

The bore 6, is threaded at I8 near its upper end, that is, near itsjunction with the larger bore l.

A plug designated generally as D has an enlarged intermediate portion I9which is exteriorly threaded to engage the threads I8 of the bore S. Theplug D has a hollow interior 20 for a portion of its length, opening'through the upper end of the plug. The plug also has openings 2I servingas communication means between the hollow interior of the plug and itsexterior. The lower portion 22 of the plug is counter-bored at 23 toreceive a stopper 24, which is supported in the portion 22 of the plugby means of a pin 25, which at its lower end has a head 26 for restingagainst the lower extremity of the stopper and its upper end is bored toreceive a pin 2.1 which secures the pin 25 in place in the plug. Theouter diameter of the portion 22 of the plug is less than the diameterof the bore 6 so that fluid passing upwardly from the draught tube IImay circulate around the stopper 24 and enter the openings 2I in theplug then pass upwardly through the hollow interior 28, and outwardlythrough the faucet structure;

The upper extremity of the plug D, on its exterior, is provided with awrench fit, such as the hexagonal end 28.

The faucet structure C includes a discharge tube 23, formed as acontinuation of the part 8 of the faucet structure and is preferablycurved so as to discharge the contents of a barrel downwardly into asuitable receptacle such as a glass, stein, or pitcher. The part 8 andthe discharge tube 23 may be integrally formed, as by drawing, or, ifdesired, may be made of separate parts suitably connected to each other.The part 8 of the faucet structure is preferably of greater diameterthan the tube 2S and has a hollow interior 30 in which is carried awrench 3| supported on the lower end of an actuating rod 32, suitablysupported in the faucet structure and illustrated as extending through aportion of the tube 29 of the structure. The wrench 3| is secured to therod 32 by means of a suitable fastening means, such for instance, as apin 32. The wrench 3I has a hood portion 33 shaped to fit over thewrench fit end 28 of the plug D, in the present instance a hexagonalhood constituting acap wrench. The hood is apertured as at 34 sothatfluid contents fromthe barrel may escape from the hollow interior 2Uof the plug B, outwardly through the wrench 3i and into the dischargetube 29.

The upper end of the rod 132 is secured in the faucet structure C bymeans of a packing 35 and a gland nut 36 to prevent escape of fluidalongthe rod 32. A convenient handle or wheel 37, is secured to theouter end of the rod 32 as by a pin 38. The rod 32 is loosely supportedwithin the faucet structure C, so as to be axially movable to iit thewrench 3| over the wrench end 28 of the plug D, as the faucet structureC is applied to the bushing for use. Preferably, the portion 8 of thefaucet structure is threaded so as to be threaded into the bore l of theinner part B of the bushing structure for connecting the faucetstructure to the bushing structure.

When it is desired to fill a barrel provided with a bush structure ofthe present invention, the stopper 24 may be moved away from the seat I2by a suitable wrench applied over the extremity 2S of the plug D and theplug rotated in the direction to move the stopper from its seatwhereupon beer or other liquids may be supplied to the barrel throughthe plug D. If on the other hand, this is not rapid enough, the plug maybe entirely removed or else, if desired, the inner part B may be removedfrom the outer part A thus affording a larger opening for filling. Inany event before the barrel has been filled the stopper 24 is movedagainst the seat I2 by a suitable wrench supplied to the plug D and thebushing sealed by means of a revenue stamp or other seal 38 pasted overthe entire bushing structure. This is possible inasmuch. as no part ofthe bushing structure projects beyond the plane of the head I of thebarrel, that is, beyond the plane defined by the upper margins of theouter part A of the bushingstructure. Figure 2 shows such a seal appliedover the bushing structure of the present invention.

When it is desired to use the dispensing system of the present inventionto withdraw beer from a barrel, the faucet structure C is applied to thebushing structure by screwing the part 8 of the faucet structure intothe threaded bore 1 of the bushing structure. The handle 3'I ismanipulated so that the wrench 3| ts over the en'd 28 of the plug Dwhereupon the plug D is given a rotation in the direction to withdrawthe stopper 24. from against its seat I2.A If there is insufficientpressure within the barrel, additional pressure may be'created byapplying an air pump to the nipple I or connecting a source of gaspressure to the nipple for creation of pressure within the barrelsuiiicient to force the contents up through the tube I I and out throughthe discharge tube 29 into a receptacle held at the end of the dischargetube. After the receptacle has been filled, the handle Sl is rotated inthe opposite direction to move the plug D to seat the stopper 24- andthus close fluid passageway through the bush. This operation may berepeated as many times as there are receptacles to be lled and until thecontents of the barrel are wholly exhausted.

The draught tube Il extends toward and terminates closely adjacent thebottom of the barrel so as to withdraw from the barrel substantially allof its contents. After the barrel has been emptied, the faucet structureC is removed by unscrewing the portion 8 from the inner part B of thebushing structure whereupon the barrel may be returned to the breweryfor reuse. The householder retains in his possession the faucetstructure C to use on other barrels of beer that he may, from time totime, purchase.

It will be observed that the dispensing structure of the presentinvention is one which is simple in design, economical to manufacture,and highly eiiicient in use. The present invention eliminates the needfor the usual cork employed in tap bushes, as at the present, thus doingaway with having to force the cork into the barrel as is common practiceat the present time.

The fact that the bushing structure of the present invention isself-contained enables its use on any and all kinds and types ofbarrels, such as steel and wood, to make available for instant use afaucet structure of the lpresent invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the adaptation of the bushing structure of thepresent invention to a wooden barrel. There a head 35i of a woodenbarrel is provided with a suitable aperture in which is threaded theouter member A of a two part bushing structure of the present invention.The inner part B is constructed as the part heretofore described, andeverything else is the same as heretofore described.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as todetails, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement andproportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A dispensing system for tapping beer barrels and the like including abushing structure and a faucet structure, said bushing structurecomprising two separable parts, one of which is provided with a centralopening of substantial size, the other of which is removably arranged insaid opening, said other part having a central bore and supporting adraught tube communicating with said bore, a stopper movable in saidbore to open and close communication between said bore and tube, a plugthreaded in said bore and connected to said stopper and rotatable foractuating it in the manner stated, said plug having a hollow interiorabove the stopper and having means providing ilow communication with theinterior from the exterior of the plug, said plug being normallydisposed to close communication between the tube and bore, said faucetstructure adapted to be applied to said bushing and being provided witha delivery tubey adapted to receive fluid from the barrel when thestopper is moved away from closing position, said faucet structurehaving wrench means engageable with said plug to i actuate it to openand close communication between the tube and bore, said wrench meanshaving means for flow passage therethrough, and handle means on saidfaucet structure for actuating said plug by said wrench means.

2. A tap bush structure for beer or like barrels comprising separableouter and inner members which are threaded together in relativelyimmovable relationship for normal use, said inner member having ashouldered bore through it for fluid passage, a stopper within said boreand movable against and away from said shoulder for controlling fluidflow, a plug within said bore and carrying said stopper and in threadedengagement with said bore to move said stopper as said plug is rotated,said plug having an end adapted for a wrench fit, said plug being hollowthrough said end and having provision for fluid flow oommunicationbetween the hollow interior thereof and the exterior of said plug belowsaid end, and a spout structure applicable to said bush having adischarge spout and carrying a wrench for engaging said plug, theportion of said wrench engaging said plug being apertured to affordfluid flow communication between the hollow interior oi" said plug andsaid discharge spout, and means carried by said spout structure formanual operation of said wrench and plug.

FRANK E. RICE.

